How to Connect a Computer to a Digital Set Top Box Using the TV Tuner Card

In order to connect a computer to a digital set top box, you will need a TV tuner card installed in a provided PCI card slot. In combination with the set-top box you will be able to stream live TV broadcast.

Unlike the USB TV digital set Box which connects to the computer via USB ports, a tuner card plugs onto a motherboard PCI slot. PCI, short for peripheral component interconnect, is a device that plugs into a corresponding slot to add functionality to a desktop computer.

When installed, connectivity with the decoder, sound card and\or antenna is done at the rear of the computer.

TV tuner cards

Despite their dwindling sales, desktop computers are still available and remain a common form-factor worldwide. In developing countries, in particular, use of desktops will probably remain popular for a long time, and so will the habits that go along with using them. Out of many, the use of computers as television sets is still trendy.

This can be done via USB digital set Box or the PCI TV tuner card.

A broadcast via a TV tuner card

Common capture cards support both analog and digital signal transmissions. Much as analog TV is meant to be a thing of the past, quite a number of countries continue to transmit analog signals.

Requirements

In order to install and transmit digital signals via the desktop computer, you should have the following accessories at hand, in addition to the antenna.

PCI TV tuner card with RCA video input jack.

An RCA (yellow) video cable.

Application CD for the TV card.

An RCA - mini-plug audio cable.

A digital set-top box decoder of your choice.

A digital set top box frm China

An RCA - mini plug audio cable.

An RCA video cable

Do you think it is necessary to stream live television on your computer monitor?

TV Tuner Card Installation

Digital Set Top Box Installation

Plug one end of the yellow RCA video cable onto the yellow jack on the TV capture card and the other end onto the yellow jack at the back of the decoder.

(see above image for connectivity to the TV card and the image below for connectivity to the pvr decoder)

The RCA cables for video (yellow) and audio (red and white), connecting at the back of the decoder. The black plug on the left is the antenna cable.

Connect the audio cable to the decoder and to the computer sound card. The RCA end of the cable (red and white) should connect to corresponding color jacks at the back of the decoder. (see image above)

Connect the mini plug end of the audio cable (one pin cable) onto the Line-In jack of the sound card. (see image on the right)

Finally, connect the antenna cable in the antenna jack at the back of the set-top box. (see image above)

The above image shows the yellow RCA video cable connecting to the TV tuner card from the rear.

Software Installation and Sound Card Configuration

Successful hardware installation is followed by driver and application software installation.

Insert the CD that came in the package, and depending on the auto-run features in the computer, the installation should be straightforward.

Start by installing the drivers, followed by the application.

NOTE:

You can also use third party driver and application software if you misplaced the software that came with your hardware.

Driver-pack solution software should install relevant drivers for any TV tuner card in the market.

PowerCinema from CyberLink is a powerful application to stream live TV signals on your PC.

Sound Card Configuration

Your new TV setup should begin operating right away upon software installation. But a few hiccups may arise and you may find yourself digging a little into Windows in order to get everything working.

For users that run Windows 7, the sound may not come out straight away. Follow the steps below to enable sound.

Click Start button > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound.

Under Sound, select Manage Audio Devices.

You will see a window like the one below.

Make sure the Recording tab is selected.

Click on Line-In and then choose Properties.

On the next screen, click on Listen tab.

You will see another screen like the one below.

Check the Listen to this device, and then click Apply and Ok.

You should now get sound from the TV capture card through speakers connected to the sound card.

TV Streaming on Your Computer

When both hardware and software setup and configuration is done, you can now watch live streaming on your monitor.

All you have to do is look out for the application on the Desktop or under Program Files.

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